Christmas Mourning

It's Christmas in rural North Carolina's Colleton County and Judge Deborah Knott is looking forward to a family celebration when a tragedy clouds the holiday season. A beautiful young cheerleader dies in a car crash and the community is devastated by her death. Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant soon learns that her death was not a simple accident, and more lives may be lost unless he and Deborah can discover why she died.

CHRISTMAS MOURNING is the eighth instalment of Andrea Frazer's Falconer Files, a detective series chock-full of picture-postcard villages, dastardly deeds, and a delightful slice of humour. Praise for Andrea Frazer's twisty and compelling crime novels: ***** 'The best laugh I have had for a long time. Great story very well written' Reader Review ***** 'I loved the book. A good British mystery. Characters are great. All mystery lovers would enjoy this' Reader Review ***** 'I have read all of the Falconer Files and they are all excellent. Well written with lovable and quirky characters' Reader Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer's Falconer files are outstanding long may she continue to write them they are like a breath of fresh air' Reader Review ***** 'Once again, another gripping story in a perfect village... a lot of twists and turns and wonderful descriptions so that one feels actually "there" amongst it all' Reader Review ***** 'Discovered this series of books and can't get enough of them. Characters very appealing and loads of humour. Just what I like best' Reader Review _________ The UK is experiencing its worst winter for years. Catastrophic news for DI Harry Falconer, as he has rashly promised to spend Christmas with his sergeant, Carmichael, and Carmichael's rambunctious family, in Castle Farthing - only to find himself snowed in and in and spending a lot longer at chez Carmichael than is desirable... Without power or telephones, and Castle Farthing cut off from the outside world until further notice, Christmas Day greets them... with a murder in St Cuthbert's Church, where the locum vicar has discovered, to his horror, one of Castle Farthing's residents nailed to a gigantic cross. Falconer and Carmichael are left to dig their way out of Carmichael's cottage to investigate the terrible crime, with none of the technology and support normally available to them. As if this is not enough to cope with, Carmichael has agreed to look after a huge Great Dane over the festivities, Kerry Carmichael is just about to give birth - and death is still stalking the snowed-in community, intent on claiming at least one more victim...

Claire Weatherly has come to respect how the Amish of Heavenly, Pennsylvania, value tradition. But not all traditions are necessarily quaint. When a decades-old mystery threatens the well-being of local police detective Jakob Fisher, she’ll pit herself against a community rooted in the past so that he can get on with his future. When Claire decides to visit the one-room schoolhouse Jakob attended as a young Amish boy, she’s puzzled by his refusal to go along too. As Jakob tells his story, Claire is stunned and saddened by the heartbreaking tale of a childhood mistake that led to the mysterious disappearance of a precious family artifact—and signaled the first break between Jakob and his mother, made all the more painful now that he’s been shunned by the family and community he loves. Knowing there’s only one way to help heal the irreparable wound that continues to haunt Jakob, Claire sets off to follow the trail of the missing heirloom, never suspecting that it will lead her to Jakob’s oldest friend, a long-ago Christmas secret, and an enduring truth about family, love, and the power of forgiveness. Praise for the National Bestselling Amish Mysteries “The best cozy mystery debut I’ve read this year.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben “Delightful . . . Well-portrayed characters and authentic Amish lore make this a memorable read.” —Publishers Weekly “A fascinating cozy that showcases the culture of the people.” —Gumshoe Review “Bradford’s characters are some of the best developed, most interesting ones I’ve come across in a cozy mystery.” —Lesa’s Book Critiques

The second in the series featuring a madcap pair of amateur sleuths and a delightful outpouring of upper-class English eccentricities - with the odd murder thrown in! Praise for Andrea Frazer's twisty and compelling crime novels: ***** 'Humorous, light mystery story; part of a series. Quirky characters; a funny-mysterious read!' Reader Review ***** 'Excellent 'cosy' crime novel. Just right for a rainy afternoon' Reader Review ***** 'I loved this book. The characters are hilarious... They are truly a joy to read. I immerse myself in the read - and just have a GOOD time!!!!' Reader Review ***** 'I loved this book. I love the whole series. The characters are wonderful. It is so well written I had such a hard time putting the book down' Reader Review ***** 'A fun mystery with wonderful characters... I would recommend to all mystery lovers' Reader Review _________ Lady Amanda Golightly, eccentric resident of a sprawling faux castle in the town of Belchester, has recently taken it upon herself to act as a veritable super-sleuth, aided by her friend Hugo Cholmondley-Crichton Crump. In this Chronicle she faces a family crisis while planning a new business venture for Belchester Towers: guided tours. To celebrate (and road-test) her new venture, Lady Amanda invites a horde of old chums to a trial run at Christmas time, complete with tasty nibbles. However, things don't go to plan - a dead guest is discovered found slumped on the library table, having been dispatched in a variety of unusual ways! Lady Amanda and Hugo are off again, but can they beat the morose Inspector Moody to the unmasking of the culprit?

It's Christmas in rural North Carolina's Colleton County and Judge Deborah Knott is looking forward to a family celebration when a tragedy clouds the holiday season. A beautiful young cheerleader dies in a car crash and the community is devastated by her death. Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Bryant soon learns that her death was not a simple accident, and more lives may be lost unless he and Deborah can discover why she died.

We want to say or do something that helps our grieving friend. But what? When someone we know is grieving, we want to help. But sometimes we stay away or stay silent, afraid that we will do or say the wrong thing, that we will hurt instead of help. In this straightforward and practical book, Nancy Guthrie provides us with the insight we need to confidently interact with grieving people. Drawing upon the input of hundreds of grieving people, as well as her own experience of grief, Nancy offers specifics on what to say and what not to say, and what to do and what to avoid. Tackling touchy topics like talking about heaven, navigating interactions on social media, and more, this book will equip readers to support those who are grieving with wisdom and love.

`A mischievously entertaining crime novel' SIMON BRETT The tenth instalment in The Falconer Files, Andrea Frazer's insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and Midsomer Murders. READER'S CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF ANDREA'S QUIRKY CRIME NOVELS! ***** 'Love this author and will definitely be reading more of her books' Author Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer's imagination is wonderful... her mysteries are populated by great, quirky characters and good humour' Author Review ***** 'Andrea Frazer never fails to supply a good read with a suspenseful plot' Author Review ***** 'I love all of Andrea Frazer books. Funny but a good mystery too' Author Review ___________ There is mischief afoot in the village of Fallow Fold. Persons unknown have been on a spree of vandalism, scratching cars, smashing colourful pots of flowers in full bloom, breaking greenhouse windows and defiling a front door with a racist word, written in spray paint. The police are called, and given the unavailability of more junior personnel DI Harry Falconer and DS Davey Carmichael arrive to investigate, but there are no obvious suspects. Then a resident is attacked as he keeps a nocturnal vigil, hoping to catch whoever is responsible for the vandalism. Soon, there is a surfeit of uncharacteristic behaviour from those who live there, and Falconer begins to suspect that there is more to come. When the man who runs the local bridge circle disappears, there is a palpable whiff of evil in the air which leads to a murderous attack on one of the police officers. This is a time when DI Falconer is forced to search his soul to discover what, and who, is really important in his life, and what really matters in it.

Joy in the Mourning is not only the story of an accident that claimed the lives of Esther's three siblings on the way to their Father's funeral; it is also a detailed account of the feelings and struggles that accompany the grieving process. It portrays a clear message to those that have suffered any kind of loss, that they are not alone. From the automobile accident, the house fire, and the gradual loss of her mother during the same time period, Esther also shares moments of joy and the healing effects of humor in the midst of suffering.